Stress is a major contributor of health problems today.

When you reduce the stress in your life, you gain better health. Many studies show the stress of our modern lifestyles contribute to the ever increasing health issues people are suffering from today. Stress has a detrimental effect on all areas of our lives, especially our bodies.

What is Stress?

Stress, as we define it here, is anything that puts an un-natural strain on the systems of the body. The most frequent form of stress is having to many obligations; with family, work, relationships, even events like the holidays. It may be from expectations others have for you, or that you have for others that are not met. It also includes stress from a diet that is heavily processed with ingredients that are not natural to your body. Toxins in the air and what you drink also add undo stress on your mental as well as physical wellbeing.

The effects stress has on you are unending and shows up in how your body responds. It can restrict blood flow causing high blood pressure; migraine headaches; restricted breathing; muscle pain – especially back or neck pain.

Stress can also affect your emotional well-being with feelings of depression, overwhelm or anxiety. You are more likely to be angry or frustrated and lash out at others when overly stressed. How this all feels to you is an indicator that your body is not handling the stress very well.

Now, it’s not likely you can get rid of all the stress in your life, but there are ways you can reduce the effects it has on you. It helps when you figure out how to manage what you cannot change. That will be our focus here. The first 3 topics already covered in this series are a great start to help reduce your stress levels. Breathing deeply, being adequately hydrated and movement all reduce stress substantially.

Easy ways to reduce your stress.

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to master the art of letting go of what really doesn’t matter in your life. Take a look at the things that annoy you, is it something that affects you personally or will interfere with your day? If not, let it go. Pretend it’s a ball and throw it a far as you can or take a deep breath and blow it away. Go for a brisk walk for 10 to 15 minutes. Find the stress reliever that works for you and use it often.

The next one has to do with changing the situation or accepting the things you cannot change. Take your work for example, if changing jobs is not an option at this time, then accepting the situation as it is for what it is will go a long way to relieve much of the stress around how you would like it to change. Having expectations that are not realized creates undo stress.

Laugh. You cannot hold onto your stress and laugh. Do something you love. Do things that make you happy, with people you like and find something to bring a smile to your face. The smile of a child or someone you love can do just that and melt the stress away.

Movement also relieves stress. Going for a 10-15 minute walk does wonders. The more stress you feel, walk more briskly and see if it really matters after 10 minutes. Movement releases endorphins from the brain that can lighten your mood.

Finally — RELAX!

We get so busy in our lives there seems to be no down-time to just relax. When you relax, make sure what you’re doing is peaceful. You may be sitting watching TV but if it’s a violent program, your body is still under stress. Music can have a relaxing effect as well; again, if it promotes a feeling of peacefulness and joy. Not all music does. It has been proven that heavy metal or music with violent, obscene language contributes to stress. Here is an excellent ongoing music video to relax to.

If your goal is truly to reduce your stress, be mindful of your choices in whatever you do. These examples may seem simple, but they are effective and very powerful ways of relieving stress in your life. Use them and …RELAX!

Then, there are times we need help, and that is what I do. Find out how you can easily reduce the stress in your life and the effects it has on you.

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